Velocity vs time graph to distance vs time graph

AI Thread Summary
To convert a velocity vs. time graph to a distance vs. time graph, one must understand that distance is the indefinite integral of velocity over time. This can be approximated by multiplying velocity values by small time intervals and summing these products to find total distance. When graphing, use graph paper to plot the velocity vs. time graph and calculate the area under the curve, as this area represents distance. If the distance graph shows uniform motion, it will appear as a straight line, while curves in the distance graph correspond to diagonal lines in the velocity graph. Understanding these relationships is crucial for accurately sketching the distance vs. time graph.
james_
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how do i take a velocity vs time graph and make it a distance vs time graph?
thanks for your help, here's the exact question

"Using the velocity vs time graphs, sketch the distance vs time graph for each of the graphs that you matched."

i need to do this question for a lab i didnt do in class. thank you again.
 
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This is an elementary calculus problem - distance is the indefinite integral of velocity with respect to time.
 
For an approximate distance solution (within a constant), just take each value of velocity and multiply it by a corresponding small interval of time. These resultant intervals of distance are then summed from where time equals zero (thus subtracting out the constant).
 
In graphing, this is a common item and there is a simple technique.
Use graph paper with little boxes (like quad paper). Plot velocity vs time on the paper, using equal divisions. So, presumably you know that x = vt. Look at each small box on the graph paper and ask yourself what is the area of that box? At least figure out the units of the area. Come back and let us know.
 
Integrals if you have equation.

Otherwise, idk.
 
I am having trouble with this same question. The question shows the picture i included in the attachment and ask you to sketch a position verse time graph?
 

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If you are converting a dt graph to vt then you have to remember that vt graphs to not have curved lines. If the dt graph shows uniform motion (straight line) then it should look like a bar graph on the vt graph. If the dt graph has curves then they are represented by diagonal lines.
 
vt graphs can have curved lines, actually, it just means they don't have constant acceleration.

If you don't know how to do integrals, I think the process they probably want is for you to find the area under the graph. You can do it in pieces, the more pieces you have the more accurate it is, but like six should do I should think. Depends on how many data points you have, I guess?
 
zach3535 said:
I am having trouble with this same question. The question shows the picture i included in the attachment and ask you to sketch a position verse time graph?

This one can just be a diagonal line from the origin towards the top right hand corner, since it doesn't have any axis labels :)
 
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